She replaces Kathleen Sebelius, who resigned in April following months of controversy over the early implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the politically charged health law that serves as Obama's signature domestic achievement.

Obama praised the Senate's swift bipartisan action in confirming Burwell, who he called "a proven manager who knows how to deliver results" and work with both parties.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden said Burwell's nomination "has a breadth of bipartisan support because she's really that good."

"She's really that capable and she's really that qualified," the Democrat from Oregon said on the chamber's floor ahead of the vote.

Sebelius came under heavy political fire as technical glitches and reports of dropped plans plagued the department amid the website launch.

Issues with website eventually smoothed out, but the health care law remains a political flashpoint heading into November's midterms.

While some Republicans expressed support early-on for Burwell, unsurprisingly, opposition to Affordable Care Act remains a key campaign platform for the GOP.

As top GOP presidential candidates arrived at a hotel here to court the influential donors of the Koch network, Charles Koch called on retreat attendees to unite with him in a campaign against "corporate welfare" and "irresponsible spending" by both ...